Not All Cases of Liver Qi Stagnation are the Same

Though liver qi stagnation is considered to be a root pattern in many diseases, not all cases of liver qi stagnation are equal. For instance, liver stagnation may affect the head and eyes, the chest, heart and lungs, the digestive system, and the reproductive system. With a wide variation of symptoms that can result from liver stagnation, it is important to consider different treatment methods for this pattern based on the areas of the body that are affected.

Though we frequently hear the statement, “different disease, same treatment,” it is essential to personalize treatments based on the client's top concerns and most pressing symptoms. Simply using a standard point protocol for liver stagnation is not enough to address the wide variation of symptoms that can result from liver stagnation.

Shouldn’t a patient with headaches due to liver stagnation receive a different treatment than a patient with abdominal pain due to liver stagnation? We would most likely use different herbal formulas for these cases, so why shouldn’t we refine our point selections to accommodate these differences as well?

Meridian Connections and Circuit Theory

In a meridian based approach to diagnosis and treatment emphasis is placed on understanding the connections between the meridians. These connections are based on the horary cycle, internal-external relationships, zang-fu bei tong theory, and the six meridians of the tai yang, tai yin, shao yang, shao yin, yang ming, and jue yin. When this type of meridian based approach is developed fully, we can speak of patterns in a different way.

For instance, liver qi stagnation headaches can be described as a jue yin – shao yang pattern when the headaches occur in the temples and occur with heat signs. For liver qi stagnation affecting the digestive system we can describe a jue yin – yang ming pattern.

This circuit is useful for liver patterns that affect the stomach, intestines, and digestive system. It may also be used for yang ming headaches and headaches that occur behind the eyes.

Summary

From the above discussion we can start to see the value in adding a meridian based approach to diagnosis and treatment. Simply identifying zang-fu patterns such as liver stagnation is not enough to refine our meridian and point selections. When the connections between the meridians are taken into consideration with the clients top three health concerns, and Meridian Circuit Systems, we can greatly increase our clinical efficiency. For more information about Meridian Circuit Systems click here.